Worst Winter of the American Revolution

Elaine Marie Cooper The most infamous winter of the Revolutionary War was not the frequently mentioned winter of 1777 to ‘78 at Valley Forge in Pennsylvania. While it was considered moderately cold, it was the lack of clothing, sufficient food, and poor housing that brought the image of bloodied footprints in the snow when the troops marched into camp. While that was a painful image to imagine, the winter that year was moderate compared to another winter just two years later: The encampment at Morristown, New Jersey.

The weather conditions during the winters of the American Revolution were described this way: 1775-1776   Moderate 1776-1777   Moderate 1777-1778   Moderate 1778-1779   Mild 1779-1780   Severe 1780-1781   Mild 1781-1782   Severe (https://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/history/weather.html) The winter of 1779-80 will be featured in Book 2 of my Dawn of America series, to be released in 2022. Book 2 is called “Winter’s Ravage.” (Book 1 is “Love’s Kindling”)

Somehow the title seems appropriate when one considers there were 28 snowstorms that year as well as deadly illnesses, plunging temperatures, and serious lack of food for the troops. It got so bad that Washington wrote to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia and pleaded with them to send help.

Gentlemen, The present situation of the army with respect to provisions is the most distressing of any we have experienced since the beginning of the war. For a fortnight past the troops, both officers and men, have been almost perishing for want. They have been alternately without bread or meat; the whole time with a very scanty allowance of either, and frequently destitute of both. They have borne their sufferings with a patience that merits the approbation, and ought to excite the sympathy of their countrymen. But they are now reduced to an extremity no longer to be supported. The distress has in some instances prompted ⟨the⟩ men to commit depr⟨eda⟩tions on the property of the inhabitants, whi⟨ch⟩ at any other period would be punished with exemplary severity…. The distress we feel is chiefly owing to the early commencement and uncommon rigor of the winter, which have greatly obstructed the transportation of ⟨our⟩ supplies. (https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-24-02-0039) Private Joseph Plumb Martin, who wrote his memoirs of the war late in his life, penned that his constant companions in Morristown were “Fatigue, Hunger, and Cold.” He described eating “a little black birch bark which I gnawed off a stick of wood, if that can be called victuals.” The Congress, who believed conditions could not possibly be as bad as that which were described, sent delegates to see firsthand. What the delegates found were conditions even worse than described by General Washington. “Extreme cold proved to be one of the army’s greatest trials during the winter at Morristown. Though Valley Forge is remembered for its harsh conditions, that winter in Morristown, Washington’s troops faced even bitterer cold than they had witnessed in Pennsylvania a few years before. Known as “the hard winter,” the season bridging the end of 1779 and early 1780 proved to be one of the coldest on record. Morristown received twenty-eight snowfalls during the Continental Army’s residence there, adding to the miserable conditions the troops faced in the wake of the shortages of food and Supplies (https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/washingtons-encampment-morristown-new-jersey-and-hard-winter-1779-1780) “According to some sources, soldiers were so desperate for food that they ate tree bark, leather from old shoes, or even dogs, a situation made worse by the fact that Morristown was located amidst numerous local farms.” 

In the most severe winter encampment of the war, weather-wise at least, Patriot forces held together, despite all the conditions that threatened to tear the army apart. In the winter of 1779-1780, the Continental Army’s perseverance and determination to overcome the challenges they faced prepared them for the campaigns that would eventually secure American Independence. (https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/morristown-winter-encampment) Total numbers: Valley Forge Morristown # of soldiers: 11,000 # of soldiers: 10-12,000 Deaths from illness: 2,000 Deaths from illness: 2,000 To 4,000

Elaine Marie Cooper’s novel, "Love’s Kindling" is the second-place winner in Historical Romance for the 2020 Selah Award contest. Like many of Cooper’s books, it focuses on the era of the American Revolution. She has authored several historical novels, a non-fiction memoir, and has been published in numerous anthologies and magazines. Although not a current resident of New England, Cooper’s heart for history was birthed there and continues to thrive.

The Heart of General Washington

By Elaine Marie Cooper 

Valley Forge is often referred to as the birthplace of the American Army. But like most births it was wrought with significant pain and difficulty. That winter of 1777-78 at Valley Forge, PA is notorious for the cold, for disease and for starvation. “Bloody footprints in the snow left by bootless men,” wrote Ron Avery of the Philadelphia Daily News. “Near naked soldiers wrapped in thin blankets huddled around a smoky fire of green wood. The plaintive chant of the starving: ‘We want meat. ‘We want meat.’” “An army of skeletons appeared before our eyes naked, starved, sick and discouraged,” wrote New York’s Governor Morris of the Continental Congress. Members of that Congress had gone to visit the troops after General Washington had pleaded with them for help. While many in Congress thought the complaints of poor conditions in the camp were exaggerated, they soon learned the opposite was true. Conditions were worse than anyone could imagine. A total of at least 2,000 men—one in 6—died that winter of diseases, including influenza, typhus, typhoid fever, and dysentery. Some estimates of illness-related casualties were as high as 3,000. A hospital was built in nearby Yellow Springs that accommodated about 300 soldiers. General Washington once took the time to visit the hospital, sharing a few words with each of his men. “He earned the love of his soldiers,” said Ed Dengel, Associate Editor of George Washington’s papers. “He (Washington) cared if they lived or if they died.” It’s no wonder then that Reverend Nathaniel Snowden, an ordained Presbyterian minister, wrote in his own hand about a sacred moment observed by a friend named Isaac Potts. It was a stirring observation by Mr. Potts of General Washington kneeling alone in the woods, beseeching his maker for help.

Here in Rev. Snowden’s hand is the story: "I knew personally the celebrated Quaker Potts who saw Gen'l Washington alone in the woods at prayer. I got it from himself, myself. … 
"I was riding with him (Mr. Potts) in Montgomery County, Penn'a near to the Valley Forge, where the army lay during the war of ye Revolution. Mr. Potts was a Senator in our State & a Whig. I told him I was agreeably surprised to find him a friend to his country as the Quakers were mostly Tories. He said, 'It was so and I was a rank Tory once, for I never believed that America c'd proceed against Great Britain whose fleets and armies covered the land and ocean, but something very extraordinary converted me to the Good Faith!" "What was that," I inquired? 'Do you see that woods, & that plain. It was about a quarter of a mile off from the place we were riding, as it happened.' 'There,' said he, 'laid the army of Washington. It was a most distressing time of ye war, and all were for giving up the Ship but that great and good man. In that woods pointing to a close in view, I heard a plaintive sound as, of a man at prayer. I tied my horse to a sapling & went quietly into the woods & to my astonishment I saw the great George Washington on his knees alone, with his sword on one side and his cocked hat on the other. He was at Prayer to the God of the Armies, beseeching to interpose with his Divine aid, as it was ye Crisis, & the cause of the country, of humanity & of the world. 'Such a prayer I never heard from the lips of man. I left him alone praying. 'I went home & told my wife. I saw a sight and heard today what I never saw or heard before, and just related to her what I had seen & heard & observed. We never thought a man c'd be a soldier & a Christian, but if there is one in the world, it is Washington. She also was astonished. We thought it was the cause of God, & America could prevail.' "He then to me put out his right hand & said 'I turned right about and became a Whig.'" Mr. Snowden, as if to emphasize the piety of Washington sets forth in his records that he often saw Washington, that he accompanied seventy other clergymen to visit him on the anniversary of his birth February 22, 1792. Then Mr. Snowden adds:

"I felt much impressed in his presence and reflected upon the hand and wonderful Providence of God in raising him up and qualifying him with so many rare qualities and virtues for the good of this country and the world. Washington was not only brave and talented, but a truly excellent and pious man of God and of prayer. He always retired before a battle and in any emergency for prayer and direction." Such an awesome story of an awesome General and future president. If this story sounds familiar, the depiction of Washington on his knees praying in the woods has been painted more than once. I’ve always loved this painting, and now love it even more, since it’s based on a true event. For more information on Valley Forge, you can read these posts. https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/valley-forge https://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/washington/prayer.html https://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/history/vstory_unhealthy.html

 


Elaine Marie Cooper is excited that her first three-book saga has now been released in a bundle set! It can be purchased in either kindle version from Amazon or as paperbacks, directly from CrossRiver Media.The bundle version includes Road to Deer Run, Promise of Deer Run and Legacy of Deer Run. Her recent novel, Scarred Vessels, is a finalist in the 2021 Selah Awards Contest. Her novel, Love’s Kindling was the second-place winner in Historical Romance for the 2020 Selah Awards. Like many of Cooper’s books, they focus on the era of the American Revolution. She has authored several historical novels, a non-fiction memoir called Bethany's Calendar, and has been published in numerous anthologies (Including Chicken Soup for the Soul) and several magazines. Although not a current resident of New England, Cooper’s heart for history was birthed there and continues to thrive. She is married, has two sons, a daughter in heaven, and 5 of the most wonderful grandchildren ever. :)